More from Mrs New Dell in the Dales Diary

Wow! Still cannot believe have brand new flamingo pink lap-top of very own. Generous pressie from son and daughter-in-law near Geneva! Is amazing!

Have not blogged recently, but am back. Visit from son and daughter-in-law plus two pooches was great. We had a wonderful time, even though I went into Bed and Breakfast Mode every morning, flourishing teapot, milk jug, sugar bowl, toast rack and all. Was nice to sit at table en famille, instead of crouching in front of telly as Two and I tend to do. Where to start? Well, we went up to Heights of Abraham, (local attraction) and we went up on cable car. Of course, son and daughter-in-law seasoned cable car users living where they do, (Mont Blanc etc. etc.), and they were perfectly happy about going up. I was less than happy, but determined to Tweak the Nose of Terror and Do It. Never again! Perfectly safe I'm sure, but Oh My God. We lurched off, swinging side to side, and inched up the cable. Slowly. Then, horror of horrors we stopped. To Admire The View. I was now Truly Tweaking the Nose of Terror. Two and the others were gazing down into the gorge below with cried of admiration and amazement, while I took one look, gulped, and shut my eyes. For what seemed an eternity we dangled in space, while I became convinced the mechanism to winch us to the top had broken. Visions of climbing from one cable car to another in rescue attempt became more and more vivid. Or having to don a breeches buoy thingy and be lowered to the ground. Or a helicopter being brought in. Being on News at Ten. Headlines in papers. Rolling news on BBC News 24. '.....and now back to Derbyshire, where family of four are still trapped' etc etc. Suddenly a grinding noise started up, followed by a jolt, and we were creaking up to the top. Joy oh joy.

Sadly in need of stiff gin and tonic, discovered the only bar was shut, so settled for Strong Cup of Tea, as mouth very dry. We then decided to Go Down Into the Caves, and took a guided tour deep into the bowels of the earth into the old lead mine. Had absolutely no idea this was here. Honestly! First it's up, up, dangle, up, then it's down, down, stumble, down. Didn't mind the cave experience so much, rather interesting actually. Mind you, the 171 steps back to the surface proved a challenge, but glad to report I Made It. Son had few problems in low parts of cave as over six feet tall, but also emerged unscathed. Then spent some time nipping around the rocks with agility of very old mountain goat, in order to access best possible views. Beautiful indeed, but by now niggling fear of return journey in dangling glass bubble began to materiaise. I ventured to suggest that maybe I could walk down, but this suggestion elicited snorts of derision from Seasoned Cable Car Users. Even Two didn't seem to mind going on cable car, but then he doesn't have vertigo. Everything else in the medical dictionary, but not vertigo. Suppressing strong desire to whimper, I boarded the glass bubble again, and was horrified to note that the door wasn't shutting as we minced round ready for take-off. Visions of sliding out and landing splattered all over Derbyshire. It finally closed just before we were launched into space, but now a fresh set of fears re-surfaced. 'Maybe they won't stop for us to admire view' I quavered, as we jolted downwards. No sooner said, than done. We stopped. We dangled. I shut my eyes. I actually prayed. The others were commenting on various miniscule points of interest way way below. The cable car in front seemed perilously close. Suppose we slipped and bashed into them, causing domino effect and subsequent mad out of control descent accompanied by shrill screams and cries of woe? Still we dangled, swaying slightly. This is it, I thought. This time the engine thingy won't start. We Are Stuck. There has to be a first time. Plummeting to our doom was not the way I would have chosen to die. Messy. Suddenly, as before, the mechanism started up. Jolt, judder, and we were off down the cable. How strong was the bloody cable? Did frost and sub-zero temperatures weaken it? It had been an exceptionally cold winter. Would it in fact, snap? Judder, sway, jolt. I cautiously opened my eyes to discover, oh joy of joys, we were back at the beginning. Safe. Alive. I just about resisted the temptation to kiss lovely lovely terra firma in manner of Pope. Bit dramatic. Felt a bit silly in fact, as was fighting off Panic Attack whilst dangling.

Am quite exhausted after re-living this experience, so more later. Need to lie down in darkened room.

More later.